Share: 

Cinema Art Theater seeks donations to match 50k challenge grant

June 21, 2017

Sam and Mariah Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Paul Kuhns of Arena’s made a combined pledge of $50,000 as a challenge grant to the Rehoboth Beach Film Society's Cinema Art Theater, the home of independent films in Sussex County. John Newton and Mowry Spencer also made a pledge of $50,000 as an additional challenge grant.

As one of the founding board members of the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, Mariah Calagione said, "Dogfish wants to increase awareness and public support of the film society's mission and its work to promote the cinematic arts by providing education and cultural enrichment in Sussex County."

The film society opened the Cinema Art Theater in March 2016. Board President Terry Kistler said, "There is still work to be done in the facility, such as purchasing comfortable, theater-style seats for the smaller theater to replace the donated metal folding chairs. The screen and sound system in that room need to be improved so the film viewing experience will be better for viewers. A significant portion of the funds raised will also be used to establish a sustaining fund for future technology upgrades, and equipment repairs and replacement."

Longtime film society board member, business owner and film viewer Paul Kuhns has seen the community's positive response to the diverse film programming offered at the Cinema Art Theater. "I decided to team up with Mariah and Sam to establish a substantial challenge grant that with the support of businesses and the community will enable the film society to complete the Cinema Art Theater and continue to serve the community for years to come," said Kuhns.

John Newton said, "Sussex County is fortunate to have a theater that brings high-quality films to the area. These types of cultural resources need to be supported by the community. Mowry and I felt that we could offer a pledge that will encourage others to contribute toward sustaining the Cinema Art Theater."

The two challenge pledges require the Rehoboth Beach Film Society to raise a matching $50,000 for each one. To begin the matching portion of the campaign, longtime film society supporters and film buffs Betty and Gary Grunder made a generous lead contribution, and they encourage others to participate in reaching the goal. Starting this summer, the film society will be asking local businesses and individuals to make contributions so they can raise the required matching funds to receive the pledged donations of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Arena’s and Newton/Spencer, and secure the continued operations of Cinema Art Theater,

For more information and to participate in this funding effort, go to www.rehobothfilm.com or contact Executive Director Sue Early at 302-645-9095.

 

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter